Seattle Mariners SP Felix Hernandez allowed just one earned run, two hits and a walk with 10 strikeouts over seven innings in a win against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Monday, April 6. He threw 64 of his 97 pitches for strikes. He is just the fourth pitcher dating back to 1914 with at least three opening day starts of 10 or more strikeouts.

Seattle Mariners SP James Paxton (forearm) missed a couple of starts during the spring after falling during an agility drill. However, he said Monday, April 6, that despite the fewer innings he feels ready for the season.

Seattle Mariners OF Seth Smith went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles, a triple, one run scored and two RBIs in the game Monday, April 6, against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He is the first player in franchise history to have three extra-base hits on opening day.

Seattle Mariners SP Taijuan Walker is expected to be in the starting rotation this season, as he will break camp with the Mariners for the first time in his career. ‘He performed extremely well,’ said manager Lloyd McClendon. ‘The rotation’s not set, but he’s on the club.’

Seattle Mariners SP Felix Hernandez allowed seven runs, five hits and two walks in just 1 2/3 innings in a Cactus League spring start Tuesday, March 31, against the Cleveland Indians. Hernandez is now 0-3 with a 10.22 ERA in 12 1/3 innings in four spring starts.

Seattle Mariners SP Felix Hernandez had a rough spring outing Tuesday, March 31, and manager Lloyd McClendon said Hernandez had tired legs after a strong leg workout earlier this week. The team has no concerns about Hernandez for opening day.

Seattle Mariners SP Taijuan Walker appears to have won the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation, following the club’s demotion of SP Roenis Elias to Triple-A Tacoma. However, manager Lloyd McClendon has not confirmed that the job is his, noting that SP Erasmo Ramirez is still in camp. SPs Felix Hernandez, James Paxton, Hisashi Iwakuma and J.A. Happ have already locked up the first four spots in the rotation.

Seattle Mariners C Mike Zunino said before the start of spring training that he would be focused on driving the ball the opposite way, and early returns are encouraging in spring action. Zunino is hitting .345 through 11 games with three home runs and seven RBI. He set a team record in 2014 for catchers by hitting 22 homers, and he also added 20 doubles. However, his on-base percentage (.254) was the second lowest in the league among players with at least 450 plate appearances. Zunino also led the team in 2014 with 158 strikeouts, and cutting down on swings and misses has been a point of emphasis for him this spring. He also admits to being a bit fatigued last year, so he tailored his offseason workouts to increase his durability.

Seattle Mariners C Mike Zunino is ticketed to catch somewhere around 140 to 145 games behind the plate in 2015, according to manager Lloyd McClendon. Zunino started 125 games last year at catcher and played in five more games as a reserve. However, only 10 catchers have started at least 140 games in the last 15 years.

Seattle Mariners SP James Paxton (forearm) will make his Cactus League debut Sunday, March 22, against the Texas Rangers after reporting no problems following his three-inning simulated game Tuesday, March 17. He’s been slowed by a sore forearm this spring, but he said he’ll be ready to go for the regular season.

Seattle Mariners SP Danny Hultzen was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma Sunday, March 15. Hultzen missed all of 2014 after undergoing reconstructive left shoulder surgery. However, he came to camp healthy and was showing signs of being the top prospect that Seattle drafted him to be with the second overall pick in 2011. He must now build up arm strength in the minors, and the team’s focus is to have him fully ready to go in 2016. Manager Lloyd McClendon said the team will err on the side of cautious with Hultzen this year, especially with his number of innings. Seattle would like him to specifically pitch in warm weather early in the minor league season, meaning he may stay in extended spring training instead. McClendon has an innings limit for the young pitcher, but he won’t disclose it.

Seattle Mariners SP James Paxton (forearm) had ‘a great live BP,’ according to pitching coach Rick Waits, Wednesday, March 11. Waits said Paxton will be ready for his spring debut March 17 after one more batting practice session. Paxton isn’t feeling any pain in his forearm.

Seattle Mariners RP Fernando Rodney doesn’t plan to change his pitching routine despite baseball’s plan to speed up games this year. Rodney showed no urgency coming in from the bullpen for his latest spring outing. Rodney is also working ahead of schedule this spring and feels completely healthy after being bothered by muscle stiffness in his shoulder last year. He feels stronger in 2015 after not throwing in the Dominican Republic during winter ball, too.

Seattle Mariners SP James Paxton (forearm) threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Monday, March 9, and used all of his offspeed pitches. Paxton said that ‘everything feels great.’ He’ll do a live batting practice session before making his spring debut Tuesday, March 17.

Seattle Mariners OF Justin Ruggiano is expected to work in a platoon situation in right field with OF Seth Smith, although manager Lloyd McClendon isn’t expected to use the plan during Cactus League spring games.

Seattle Mariners SP Felix Hernandez threw his first batting practice session of the spring Wednesday, March 4. He worked on his fastball command and breaking balls against a collection of minor leaguers.

Seattle Mariners OF Dustin Ackley is expected to split time in left field with 2B Rickie Weeks, according to manager Lloyd McClendon. However, McClendon doesn’t plan on using projected platoons in spring games. For example, Ackley will see playing time against left-handers in camp.

Seattle Mariners SP James Paxton (forearm) played catch Monday, March 2, and is targeting his first spring bullpen session for Friday, March 6. ‘I’m ready to get rolling here and get ready for the season,’ Paxton said. ‘I feel confident that I’ll have plenty of time to get myself ready for those (regular-season) games in April.’ The Mariners typically require pitchers to throw two bullpens and then throw two rounds of live batting practice before getting into a spring game.

Seattle Mariners OF Austin Jackson is expected to see a few extra days of rest this summer in an attempt to keep him fresh, manager Lloyd McClendon said Sunday, March 1. ‘He played 154 games last year, that’s too many for a center fielder with his frame,’ McClendon said. ‘It wears you down. We’re going to do our best to knock that number down a bit.’

Seattle Mariners SS Willie Bloomquist (knee) ran the bases for the first time Monday, Feb. 23, and Tuesday, Feb. 24, as he makes his way back from microfracture surgery. Manager Lloyd McClendon said Bloomquist is ‘doing fabulous’ and is well ahead of schedule.

Seattle Mariners RP Fernando Rodney is feeling good, and he is throwing much earlier in camp than he did last year. Last season he started camp with a tight shoulder, but he is good to go this year. ‘This year I just took the first two days to get loose and said I was ready for Tuesday,’ Rodney said. ‘It was a good (bullpen session) for me. This year everything is normal.’

Seattle Mariners SP James Paxton (wrists) will resume throwing early next week, and he will take part in fielding drills Tuesday, Feb. 24. Manager Lloyd McClendon said Paxton threw five or six bullpen sessions before reporting to camp, so he should be fine.

Seattle Mariners SP Hisashi Iwakuma is healthy this year in spring training and is excited about what he can accomplish in 2015. He threw 45 pitches during a bullpen session Monday, Feb. 23, that saw him mix in fastballs and breaking pitches. Last year at this time he had a splint on his finger and was simulating throwing as a spectator for roughly six weeks. Iwakuma never got into his comfort zone last year after starting on the disabled list, even though he finished 15-9 with a 3.52 ERA.

Seattle Mariners SP James Paxton (wrists) is being held out of workouts the last couple days with wrist strains that he suffered last week during agility drills, according to general manager Jack Zduriencik.

Seattle Mariners SP Danny Hultzen (shoulder) appears to be recovered from a torn rotator cuff and labrum, but manager Lloyd McClendon said the team is looking towards 2016 with him at the major league level.

Updating previous reports, Seattle Mariners minor league P Victor Sanchez (head) has been transferred to a hospital in Caracas, Venezuela. He remains in an induced coma after being struck in the head by the propeller of a boat while swimming Feb. 13.

Updating a previous report, Seattle Mariners minor league P Victor Sanchez (head) is in ‘serious but stable’ condition after being struck in the head by a boat while swimming, an unidentified source told the Venezuelan sports website Lavinotinto.com. He remains in intensive care after undergoing surgery for a double fracture on his skull.

Seattle Mariners minor league P Victor Sanchez (head) suffered a head injury during a boating accident in his native Venezuela Saturday, Feb. 14. A report by the Venezuelan sports website Lavinotinto.com claims he was struck by a boat while swimming on a beach in Carupano. Sanchez reportedly lost consciousness for some time and was hospitalized. The Mariners have been unable to confirm the nature or severity of the accident.

Free-agent 2B Rickie Weeks (Brewers) agreed to a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners Thursday, Feb. 12. Weeks’ deal is a major league deal worth around $2 million with $2 million in incentives. He’s expected to play left field, right field and second base.

Seattle Mariners OF Austin Jackson is look to bounce back in his first full season with the club after a disastrous two months following his acquisition last July 31. ‘Offensively,’ manager Lloyd McClendon said, ‘he’s doing some things mechanically that we need to clean up. It’s nothing major. We’ll work on that in spring training.’ Jackson and McClendon spent time together with the Detroit Tigers, when McClendon was the hitting coach there.

Seattle Mariners OFs Justin Ruggiano and Seth Smith are projected to be part of a right field platoon situation. Manager Lloyd McClendon is tentatively planning to use the two outfielders in the No. 2 slot of the batting order.

Seattle Mariners RP Tom Wilhelmsen appears to be the first player from the organization headed for an arbitration hearing since 2003. Wilhelmsen is seeking $2.2 million, and the team has countered with $1.4 million.

Free-agent OF Franklin Gutierrez (Mariners) and the Seattle Mariners are moving closer to a reunion. Gutierrez is seeking to make a comeback after missing the 2014 season due to severe gastrointestinal issues. He drew interest from several clubs after playing winter ball in Venezuela, but indicated a preference to return to Seattle.

The Seattle Mariners could be interested in re-signing free-agent OF Franklin Gutierrez to a minor league contract. ‘He wants to give it a shot,’ assistant general manager Jeff Kingston said. ‘Full disclosure, there are some veteran non-roster players we?re still talking to, and we probably will add a few more here before the start of camp. He is somebody we’ve had some discussions with. So it is a possibility.’

Seattle Mariners SS Willie Bloomquist (knee) is ‘progressing very nicely’ from right knee surgery, and he started a running program in Arizona two weeks ago. He’ll likely be limited early in spring training, but trainer Rick Griffin thinks he will be ready for when games start.

Seattle Mariners 2B Robinson Cano (toe) has received permission from the team to test his recovery from a broken toe by playing some games in the Dominican Republic Winter League before arriving in spring training. ?Robinson has reported to us his broken right pinkie toe is fully healed,? general manager Jack Zduriencik said, ?and (he) wants to get on a baseball field to test it before reporting for spring training.’

Seattle Mariners 1B Logan Morrison has played fewer than 100 games in each of the last three seasons but general manager Jack Zduriencik doesn’t feel acquiring a backup first baseman is a pressing need. DH/1B Jesus Montero is expected to see time at the position during spring training and SS Brad Miller could see action there if he loses the starting shortstop competition to INF Chris Taylor.

Seattle Mariners club officials anticipate that SS Brad Miller will compete with INF Chris Taylor for the starting shortstop position during spring training. Miller is considered to have the better bat, with Taylor possessing the superior glove. The loser of the competition is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Tacoma.